(P13-013-24) Sex-Specific Associations of Ultra-Processed Food Intake With Obesity in Early-Childhood

Objectives: One-third of Canadian children are living with overweight/obese status, with a higher prevalence among males. The Canadian food market is also shifting towards more shelf-stable but nutritionally imbalanced, ultra-processed foods (UPF). Adult studies suggest that males consume more UPF than females and that UPF intake is associated with obesity. However, the evidence in pediatric studies is limited and inconsistent. We aim to determine the associations between UPF intake and obesity indicators among Canadian preschool children.

Methods: Among 2217 participants enrolled in the prospective, population-based Canadian CHILD Cohort Study, we collected diet information at age three using a 112-item semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. At the age of five years, we measured participants' weight, height, waist circumference and skin fold thickness. Z-scores based on published growth standards were calculated for each outcome: body mass index (zBMI), waist-to-height ratio (zWHtR), and subscapular (zSubs) and triceps (zTriceps) skinfold thickness. UPFs were classified using the NOVA classification system. Sex-stratified multivariable linear regression analyses accounted for potential confounders (e.g., family income, maternal education and diet, physical activity, and study site).

Results: At three years of age, energy intake from UPF contributed to 45% of total daily energy. This contribution was higher among males than females (p < 0.001). In males only, we found that every 10% UPF energy increase was significantly associated with higher: zBMI (β=0.06; 95%CI:0.02-0.10); zWHtR (β=0.05; 95%CI:0.003-0.10); zSubs (β=0.10; 95%CI:0.04-0.16); and zTriceps (β=0.08; 95%CI:0.02-0.13). No significant associations were observed among females.

Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the concerning influence of UPF intake during early life on child growth and obesity development. Further investigation in older children involving social and health factors is crucial for designing effective public health policies and interventions.

Funding Sources: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, SMART Healthy Training Platform